Die Fischereiressourcen im Hinblick auf deutsche Interessen

The North-European fish stocks are assessed annually by ICES working groups. The results are evaluated twice annually in two meetings of the Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management (ACFM) at ICES. Based on the working group assessments, ACFM formulates an advice for the fisheries management and suggests a total allowable catch (TAC) which is based strictly on biological grounds. The summaries of the state of some selected stocks which are given here, are derived from the ACFM advice, formulated during the most recent October 1999 meeting. For many of the fish stocks the precautionary approach has been implemented now, and for most of them the target reference points have been defined. As a result, most of the stocks are outside safe biological limits or are harvested in disaccordance with the precautionary approach. Only 10 stocks of those evaluated during this autumn meeting were found to be within safe biological limits.

Konzept für eine bestandsschonendere Nutzung der Dorschvorkommen in der westlichen Ostsee

The introduction of a long-term management plan for the cod socks by the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC) to ensure stable and high yields and to conserve the fish stocks of the Baltic demands certain conservation measures. One is the use of the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) based on precautionary approches. In addition the exploitation pattern and the selectivy of trawls shall be improved to increase the spawning stock biomass and to reduce the presently high discard rates. The contributation demonstrates by means of model calculations for the cod stock of the ICES Sub-divisions 22 to 24 ( Western Baltic ) the short- and long-term effects of an improvement of the trawl selectivity on stock size, yields and profit.

Die Tiefseegarnele Pandalus borealis im Nordostatlantik. Biologie, Bestandssituation und fischereiliche Nutzung

One of the most common decapode in the North Atlantic is the “Northern” or “Pink shrimp” Pandalus borealis (Kröyeri). Due to decreasing fish stocks and catches the shrimp fishery was intensified during most recent years. In the North-East Atlantic, a profitable fishery on this species has been carried out by Norway and USSR/ Russia off Norway, in the Barents Sea and off Spitsbergen for about 30 years. For the first time, Germany started a shrimp fishery with FMV “Hannover” in this area in spring/summer 1999. This article gives information on the biology of Pandalus borealis. A brief description of the problems in stock analyses, stock assessment, and the TACs (Total Allowable Catches) for the entire North Atlantic are given.

Austauschprozesse zwischen den Dorschbeständen der westlichen und östlichen Ostsee

Quantitative proofs for the occurrence of juvenile cods in the Bornholm Sea, which had been spawned in Kiel Bay or Mecklenburg Bay, were the staring point to develop a method, which makes quantitative estimates possible. From these analyses it could be estimated that 20 to 50 % of the cods in the area of the eastern Baltic stock had been spawned in the western Baltic Sea. This expansion in eastern direction was determined partly by passive transport of pelagic cod stages. The main factor was an active migration of cod in the first year of their life. These analyses suggest the necessity to reassess the actual model of the relations between the Baltic cod stocks.

Die lage der Fischbestände in Nordostatlantik, Nord- und Ostsee. Einschätzungen des Internationalen Rates für Meeresforschung im Frühjahr 2000

The spring session of ACFM gave advice for a number of stocks in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic. The present assessment of the situation is given here for stocks of higher importance for the German fishery. These are: Blue Whiting: the stock is still relatively high, this, however, will not last very long, due to too intense fishing. Cod in Kattegat: stock is outside safe biological limits. No immediate recovery in sight. Cod in 22–24 (Baltic): stock is inside save biological limits. F, however, is above the recommendation of the IBSFC. Greenland Halibut: state of the stock not quite clear. The present fishing intensity seems to be sustainable. Herring (Atlanto- scandian, Norwegian spring spawner): stock is within safe biological limits, weak recruitment of the recent years will lead to a reduction of biomass. Herring: for Baltic spring spawner in 22–24 and IIIa still no increasing tendency detectable. North Sea Herring: further increasing tendency, with 900 000 t over B lim, good recruitment. Herring in VIa: stable. Redfish: generally decreasing tendency observed, a reduction of the fishery is recommended. Signs of recovery, however, visible for some units

Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Hochseefischerei

The poor situation of fish stocks worldwide pointed out by FAO has led to a reconsideration of fishing concepts internationally. A brief outline of the world fishing situation is given, as well as that of the EU and Germany. Explanations of basic fishing parameters like catch, recruitment and fishing mortality are given and used to expound and graphically show the relation to overfishing and the new concept of the ”precautionary priciple” and ”precautionary approach” for the goal of a sustainable fishery. This leads to recommendations for research and actions in respect to selectivity, adjustment of fishing capacity and new concepts of utilisation.

Der Krill im Südatlantik. Entwicklung der Bestände, der Fischerei und des Bestandsmanagements

Since 1976 the Institute of Sea Fisheries of the Federal Research Center for Fisheries, Hamburg, has been conducting long-term monitoring research on Antarctic krill in order to manage the stocks according to the precautionary approach. The krill stocks of the South Atlantic fluctuate seasonally as well as inter-annually in biomass and recruitment success. Following high densities in the late 1970s, the stocks are recently declining. Shortly after the onset of a commercial fishery the catches reached a maximum of around 500 000 t annually, but stabilized around 100 000 t during recent years. Actual survey results indicate mean krill densities in the South Atlantic of 21.4 g/m2, corresponding to 44 Mio. t. The potential yield and maximum catch rate was set at 4.0 Mio. t per year subdivided for the various CCAMLR Subareas. CCAMLR is expected to introduce further conservation measures to control the fishery in the convention area in the near future, however, there is still room for developing a krill fishery in the Antarctic.

Ostseehering (Clupea harengus) - eine Rohwarenressource für die deutsche Fischwirtschaft?

Baltic Sea herring is a traditional raw material for the German fish processing industry and the fresh fish market. This applies also for the spring herring of the spawning population of the waters around the island of Rügen. Reduction of the fat content to about 5 % during the spawning cycle limits the processing possibilities of mature herring from this area. Failures in taste and odour (tainting), a common problem of the past have not been detected in the last 3 years. Infestation by nematodes are comparable to other herring stocks and contamination levels of organic and inorganic contaminants are well below allowable limits. The annual German fishing quota of about 85000 t of Baltic Sea herring is now utilised only to 10 %. For a stronger utilization of this stock as in the 70th and 80th , there are scarcely prerequisites. The project of a central processing plant on the island Rügen for about 50000 t of herring as raw material is not realistic. The answer to the question asked at the beginning of this article, whether Baltic Sea herring represents a raw material for the German fish processing industry, is YES, dispite some restrictions.

Fischerei auf die wichtigsten nordostatlantischen Grundfischbestände 1998

A short review of the actual assessments on the northeast atlantic groundfish stocks of cod, saithe, haddock, redfish and Greenland halibut provided by the ICES „Arctic Fisheries Working Group“is given. All these stocks are presently considered outside safe biological limits. For the first time since 5 years the cod stock is in an endangered situation, because the assessment was to optimistic and the TAC therefore set to high. According to the recent assessments necessary changes in the commercial fishery of the year 1998 off the Nowegian coast and in the Barent-Sea area are discussed. Information on distribution and fishery of cod, haddock, saithe and redfish is given. Biological investigations were carried out onboard the German factory trawler FMS „KIEL“ in January/March and September/ Occtober 1998 in order to collect data of the German fishery in that area. Aspects of length and age distributions, and stomach- and gonad investigation are represented.

Fischbestände der Ostsee, ihre Entwicklung in den Jahren seit 1970 und Schlussfolgerungen für ihre fischereiliche Nutzung. Teil 1: Dorsch

On the basis of the ”Gdansk Convention on Preservation of Living Resources of the Baltic Sea” the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC) has been regulating catches of most important fish species in the area since 1974. This article reviews, in a first step for Baltic Sea cod, the development of stocks and fishery since 1970 in the light of respective catch regulations of IBSFC. TACs have been fixed by IBSFC by species for the whole Baltic Sea and resulting quotas have been split according to national and/or international fishery zones from 1975 up to now. The Baltic Sea cod is on biological background treated in scientific stock assessment as two separate stocks. Both stocks, in the western and eastern Baltic Sea, show clearly different developments over the period since 1970. After a short living peak in stock size of the eastern compartment about 20 years ago this stock has been on a very low level since the late 1980’s. During that period with increasing effort big cod catches have been landed.. The level of fishing effort is more or less the same still with much lower catches nowadays. A detailed description of development of stock sizes and recruitment is given. The conclusion is that with the present regime of regulation on the basis of one TAC for the total Baltic Sea and with high fishing capacity available for cod it will be impossible to meet the aim of good and stable yields.

Die deutsche Fischerei auf den "ozeanischen" Rotbarsch (Sebastes mentella) von 1995 bis 1998

Recently, the German redfish fishery displayed a pronounced seasonal pattern in geographic effort distribution and depth. The second and third quarters were the main season when 80 % of the effort was exerted. During the second quarter, the fleet activities were concentrated in international waters close to the Icelandic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), fishing at depths exceeding 600 m. In contrast, the catches in the third quarter were taken mainly inside the Greenland EEZ at depths around 300 m. From 1995 to 1998, the annual effort ranged from 14 000 to 18 000 trawling hours, without a trend. This effort yielded about 18 000 to 21 000 t (international catch > 100 000 t) annually. Since 1996, the catch rate (CPUE) decreased during the main season. The decrease in CPUE should be interpreted as the first reaction of the stock to increased exploitation. The fish size also varied seasonally and peaked during the second quarter at depths exceeding 600 m. Here, males were bigger than females and both sexes were equally frequent. The increase of fish size with increasing depth did not contribute to the hypothesis of two separate pelagic redfish stocks above and below 500 m. In contrast, the close relation between fish size and depth point to the so-called “deeper-bigger phenomenon” which was found in numerous fish stocks. Very few redfish in the catches were immature.

Beurteilung der Fischbestände in Nordatlantik, Nord- und Ostsee. Einschätzung durch den Internationalen Rat für Meeresforschung vom Mai 1999

The spring session of ACFM gave advice for a number of stocks in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic. The situation is given here for stocks of higher importance for the German fishery. These are: Blue Whiting: A short term upwards trend is observed, which, however, will not last very long, due to too intense fishing. Cod in Kattegat: Stock is outside safe biological limits. No immediate recovery in sight. Cod in Sub. Div. 22– 24 (Baltic): Stock is outside safe biological limits. Due to weak recruitment not immediate recovery in prospect. Greenland Halibut: Stock outside safe biological limits and still in downward trend. Herring (atlanto-scandian, Norw. spring spawner): Stock inside safe biological limits, weak recruitment of the past 5 years will, however, lead to a reduction of the biomass. Redfish: Generally decreasing tendency observed, a reduction of the fishery is recommended.

Nordostarktische Fischbestände - Fangempfehlungen für 1998

The results of the assessments on North-east fish stocks of cod, haddock, saithe, redfish and Greenland halibut by the ICES ”Arctic Fisheries Working Group” in 1997 are presented. Whereas the stocks of cod, haddock and saithe are considered to be in fairly good conditions and within safe biological limits the assessments show the stocks of beaked redfish and Greenland halibut to be low. Assessments of cod and haddock differed from previous years, because data on cannibalism were introduced into the recruitment models.

Bestandserfassung und -überwachung des atlanto-skandischen Herings. EU-Studie "Hydroacoustic Surveys of Atlanto-Scandian Herring in the Norwegian Sea, 1998-2000 (ASH-II)"

The atlanto-scandian herring consists of two major stocks, i.e. the Icelandic summer spawner and the Norwegian spring spawner. Both stocks have recovered well after complete collapse in the seventies and allow for a controlled fishery. The total allowable catch of the Norwegian spring spawner is currently 1.3 mill. t. The resumption of the fishery is accompanied by an annual and multi-national survey with Norwegian, Faeroe Islands, Icelandic and Russian contribution. In 1998 the EU will contribute to the survey with the Swedish vessel ”Argos” and in 1999 with the ”Walther Herwig III” under Dutch, Swedish and German participation. About half of the survey costs are covered by the EU by means of a funded study, the other half is contributed by the participating nations.

Die Situation der Makrelen- und Stöckerbestände. Der deutsche Beitrag zur internationalen Bestandsabschätzung

The question has not yet been completely solved whether or not the mackerel and horse mackerel stocks in the waters from the Bay of Biscay to the Atlantic off the Norwegian coast are independent unit stocks or must be regarded rather as one stock with distinct stock components. The stock definition, however, is the basis for fishery management and is fundamental for the exploitation of the stocks. For this reason the extensive mackerel and horse mackerel egg survey carried out in 1998, is of high importance and significance for the fishery management of the two species. The survey has begun in January in Iberian waters and will eventually end in the autumn north of Scotland. To cope with this task research vessels of eight European nations are participating.